Parish News Spring 2019
Inside this issue Meet Healeyfield’s new Parish Councillor More details on page2. How Castleside Remembered More details on page 3/4. Big Spring Clean More details on page 4. My name is Alan Wallace and my wife and I live in Castleside, just behind the Horse & Groom on Castlehills. I have recently been co-opted as a Parish Councillor for Healeyfield.
Initially from the Stanley area, I have also lived around the UK and overseas, working mostly in construction and project management. While living overseas I supported the British Embassies as a volunteer warden. Embassy Wardens are basically a person who acts as liaison between the Embassy and the UK population; assisting with any local knowledge and helping British Nationals. After finishing my working life we spent a few years living in Spain, about one hour North of Barcelona where I volunteered for a Charity supporting UK passport holders, who were either resident or on holiday in the Girona Province and the nearby Costa Brava. This charity helped those who needed assistance for example following illness while on holiday, day to day support or help attending hospital appointments.
Since returning ‘home’ to live, I appreciate the great location of the Healeyfield Parish and Castleside in particular, close to our towns, cities and the countryside. I regularly walk on the footpaths and long distance cycleways that cross the Parish. I also volunteer for both The Woodland Trust, working with a team keeping the Castle Hill Wood open for the many walkers who use that area as well as supporting Age UK County Durham in their ‘Beat the Scammers’ and other projects they have in the Derwentside and Durham areas.
I look forward to contributing to the work of the Parish Council as I believe we have a lovely area to live in, a very positive sense of ‘village’ community and a rich history.
The Parish Council applied for, and were granted, funds from County Councillors Ossie Johnson and Jude Considine. This grant will fund the renewal and some additional planters. The barrels that were in situ have now been removed to make way for planters that look like stone troughs-they are actually plastic! Two, tiered planters will be situated at the crossroads and some half barrels. These new planters are self watering which makes the care of the plants over the summer months a little easier.
Look out for the new additions to the village over the next few months. Castleside Remembered Last November the country commemorated 100 years since the end of the First World War. Healeyfield Parish Council were very keen to participate in this commemoration to thank those who fought in the First World War, and in all of the wars since. With this in mind the Parish Council sought the help of residents and community groups to create a knitted poppy display that would be situated within the grounds of St Johns Church. The response was fantastic, we had knitted poppies from people who have lived in the village all of their lives and from people who had lived here for just 1 week. Poppies came from people who now live in Australia, who still have links to Castleside, and we also had a large number from friends and family in Weardale and Yorkshire. Once the poppies where made we then had the mam- moth task of attaching them to the giant net, which would cover the frame, usually used for the Christmas tree lights. This is when our lovely community really stepped up to the mark. Castleside BP Scouts very kindly let us use their Head Quarters so we were able to spread out the net and invite people to come and help us to tie on the poppies. Every child from Castleside Primary School came and tied on a poppy, as did every scout and cub from 1st Castleside BP Scout group. Members of the WI and Castleside Village Hall joined residents to help with the display, usually over a cup of tea.
The display was finally hauled into position, and was unveiled during a short ceremony in the Church garden. We were overwhelmed that over a hundred people came to watch the unveiling. A short dedication was made by Adam Pearson, the Chair of Healeyfield Parish Council and Rev Martin Jackson. Our Parish Clerk, Ruth Wright, together with two other members from Bishop Auckland Pipe Band played as residents tied poppies onto the net. The pipers then led us down to the village hall, where many more people were waiting. Together we all enjoyed a good old-fashioned tea dance, the highlight of which was the superb singing of Castleside School Choir. The project was a year in the making, with the ladies of the Parish Council living and breathing poppies, from knitting, to delivering wool, to collecting in the poppies and organizing the sewing on sessions. It has been a labour of love. Remembrance Sunday itself was marked by the annual Remem- brance service and the laying of wreaths at the war memorial, how- ever, this year, residents met outside of the Church and paraded to the churchyard, accompanied by John Stafford on the bagpipes. Again, the turnout was tremendous.
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Healeyfield Parish Council were then very proud to take part in "Battles Over, A Nations Tribute, WW1 Beacons of Light". Along with hundreds of other councils up and down the country we lit a specially made beacon in remembrance and commemoration of the end of WW1 and the many millions who were killed or came back terribly injured. We would like to thank Michael Forster and his wife Councilor Jo Forster for making this magnificent beacon for the village.
We were delighted that over 300 people attended this very moving event. Following a short address by the Chairman of the Parish Council, the names of the fallen were read out followed by two minutes silence. Over the two weekends the people of Castleside proved that community spirit is thriving within our village, what better way to thank the brave men and women who went before us and sacrificed their tomorrows so we could have our today.
Councillor Judith Robson Activities
Activity Date Time Contact
Neil Johnson Art Club th 7 pm - 9 pm 4 Wednesday 506451 Allen Carr Beginners Art Every Tuesday 1.15 pm - 3 pm 508698 Shirley Richardson Bingo Every Thursday 7 pm 508086 Bowls Wednesday 1.15 pm - 3.15 pm Kevin McNamee History Archives Thursday 10.30 am - 12.30 pm 509456 Kevin McNamee History Society Third Wednesday 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm 509456 David Dixon Monthly Dances Last Saturday 8 pm 509253 Parish Council Ruth Wright Last Thursday 6.30 pm Surgery 01388834000
Parish Council “ 7 pm “
David Dixon Village Hall Meeting st 7 pm 1 Monday 509253
W.I. Second Wednesday 6.30 pm - 9.30 pm Mavis Parker
nd th David Dixon Dance Lessons 2 and 4 Monday of 7.30 pm every month 509253 Karate Lessons Brooke Every Tuesday 6.30pm - 7.30 pm (17yrs and under) 07460 377508 Age UK County Durham’s award winning Come Eat Together team held a free coffee morning on Thursday 7th March 2019 at Castleside Village Hall on Drover Road and welcomed anyone over 50 from the area for a free cuppa and a biscuit to find out how they could start a monthly lunchtime get together to enjoy good food with good company at the Village Hall.
Andrea Goldie, Development Worker for Age UK County Durham said “We are hoping to set up a regular monthly lunch club in partnership with the Village Hall and we would love to welcome you to come along and find out more. Come along for a chat and help us create a local lunch club for local people”.
Anyone who would like more information about the monthly lunch or to book a place please contact the Come Eat Together Team on 0191 374 6577 or email [email protected]. For their latest news, videos please go to www.comeeattogether.org.uk
Castleside Village Crafters Only £3 per session
If you would like to learn a new skill, or work on a UFO come and join us, and have a cuppa and chat at the same time. Our aim is to get people together so come and join us anyway for a cuppa and a natter We have Beginners Pottery starting at the end of April, please get in touch if you would like a place as it is on a first come first served basis and we are expecting it to be very popular. For further details contact Jackie: 07881 301 640 or Marion: 07940 703 819 or e mail: [email protected] What’s happened at Castleside School
Pupils at Castleside Primary School have been spreading their wings over the past few months, enjoying enriching experiences and not- a-little success, too, beyond the boundaries of Consett and Derwentside. Miss Barrass and her brilliant school choir qualified for the Durham County Primary Schools Choir of the Year competition, held in Ushaw College’s magnificent chapel in December. The girls and boys sang their hearts out and ended up finishing third. “Their performance was outstanding,” said Miss Barrass and Mrs Gilbert, who also helps with Castleside’s cherubic band of singing angels! With the help of the multi-talented Mr Gilbert, there are plans afoot for the school choir to release a CD. Some recording sessions have already taken place at St John the Evangelist, so stay posted! Just before Christmas, the choir sang at the lighting of the Village Christmas tree. They also raised £193 while singing carols at Tesco and Morrisons. In January a group of Year 5 and 6 children could be seen performing a dance routine in front of a big audience at the Queen’s Hall theatre in Hexham. They performed the opening act to a show called Deeds Not Words, which was about the Suffragatte movement. The show was directed by Kristin Kelly Abbott, who came into school to teach the pupils. “I was so proud of the children,” said beaming head teacher Mrs Spence. “They stepped out of their comfort zone and stretched themselves. They were absolutely amazing.” There was also an amazing success for the school at the Educate and Celebrate Great Rainbow Bake Off Final at Park View School in Chester-le-Street in February. Back in November, the school was involved in a series of local events commemorating the centenary of the end of World War One. Children from all classes walked down to the Village Hall to attach knitted poppies to the giant display that appeared in the grounds of St John The Evangelist. On the sporting front, there was a first for the school in February with the forming of an all-female football team for the Derwentside Primary Schools Girls 5-a-side competition. The Year 6 girls started from scratch, learning the basics on the yard at play times, and also joined the Wednesday after-school training sessions. They played their hearts out on the night, despite losing star player Lily to a broken foot that day before the tournament. They drew one of their matches, against Ebchester, and enjoyed terrific support on a chilly afternoon from parents and carers. Hopefully, some of the girls will graduate to the whole-school football team and maybe even follow in the footsteps of old girl Bev Priestman. Bev was the first girl to break into the school team, earning the nickname ‘Bev Bites Your Legs’ from head teacher and coach Ken Davison. Last year she was appointed assistant coach of the England women’s football team, working alongside the former Manchester United and England star Phil Neville. A former coach with Everton, New Zealand and Canada, Bev will be going to the Women’s World Cup Finals in France this summer. The whole-school football team played superbly to win their heat of the Ted Young Derwentside Primary Schools 5-a-side tournament at Greenland in November. They beat East Stanley 1-0, drew 0-0 with Bloemfontein and came from 2-0 down to beat Collierley 3-2 in a thrilling final. That put them through to the district grand final at Greenland in December, where they drew their opening match 1-1 against Tanfield Lea, who went on to win that night’s final and qualify for the county cup. The team didn’t manage to progress beyond the group stage that night but they have the second half of the Tony Reather League season to come in the spring. At the halfway stage, they are lying fourth in the league table, behind Medomsley, All Saints and Bloemfontein. The school was proud to be nominated for a special award at the annual Active Durham Sport and Physical Activity Awards at the Empire Theatre in Consett in November. Collierley took the award for the Primary School Contribution to Sport and Physical Activity.
What’s on at St Johns Community Hall
Monday Wednesday Mums and Tots 9am - 11am Slimming World 5pm - 9pm St Johns Players drama 7pm - 8 pm group Tuesday Thursday Yoga 12:30pm - 1:45pm Karate 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Youth drop in (11-16 4:30pm - 6pm Community Spirit 2nd Thursday of each years old) month Dance Club 1st and 3rd 7:45pm - 10:30pm Coffee morning - Tea and 9:30am - 11:30am Tuesday treatments
Dance with Lynne Valley Duo
Friday 17th May 2019 at 7.30pm Do you every feel lonely and would like to make new friends?
Come along to our village WI and have a laugh and a chat over a cup of tea. We have meet every 2nd Wednesday each month in the village hall at 7pm. We have no age limit and you don't even have to live in the village.
In March we have speaker Viv Howe on card making, April is Sue Vidler on Bach Flower Remedies and May is Hayley Wilson on Mental Health Matters. We have speakers from all over from The National Trust to the local Fire Brigade. We hold monthly competitions, have mystery prizes and the odd game of bingo, meals out and our Christmas party is great fun. We also get invited to other WI's which we are always made very welcome.
Everyone has a great time so why not call in or you can drop us an email to: Jo Forster [email protected] . We can also be found on facebook.
Messy Church Is geared towards young families with a wide range of fun activities based around a theme, a shared meal and worship; all free of charge. There are crèche facilities for the very young but under eights must be accompanied by an adult. 1st Friday in each month from 3:30-5:30 in the Scout Centre. Priest-in-charge: The Rev’d Martin Jackson, St Cuthbert’s Vicarage, Church Bank, Shotley Bridge, 01207 503019 – Mobile 07972262412 email [email protected] Upcoming Events at St Johns Church
Sunday 14th April at 9am Sunday 21st April 9am
Thursday 18th April 6pm Friday 19th April 2pm
Normal Services Each Sunday at 9am apart from second Sunday in each month at 4pm Coffee Morning Last Saturday each month from 10am
Bereavement Group Second Monday each month from 1.30pm
The Grove Methodist Church
Regular Sunday services commencing 10:45am The THURSDAY GROUP is an informal ‘get‐together‛ held on alternate Thursdays at 1:30pm with chat, invited guest speakers and refreshments. COFFEE MORNINGS are held on the 1st Saturday of the month at 10:30 inc Cake Stall!
St. Pius Roman Catholic Church at Moorside Sunday service commencing 11:00am Monday 10:00am Tuesday 10:00am Wednesday 7:00pm Thursday 10:00am, the children of St Pius’ Primary School invite you to their regular act of worship on Friday at 9:00am in the school hall. Castleside & District Photography Club
The Scouts Centre, Drover Road Castleside, DH8 9RE. We meet every Tuesday evening at 1900 hr till about 2045. All interested are welcome to attend. A full range of photography subjects and tuition are covered at all Levels. For more information please look at the website www.castlersideanddistrictphotographyclub.co.uk
Joining 1st Castleside Baden-Powell Scouts Group Beavers ( 5yrs-8yrs ) meet Tuesday - 6pm-7pm : Wolf Cubs ( 8yrs-11yrs ) meet Wednesday - 5.45pm-7:15pm : Scouts ( 11yrs-18yrs ) meet Wednesday - 7.15pm-8:45pm: For more information come along to Scout HQ and find out more. Contact:07896942378
Interested in learning about the past? Come along, once a month to the History Society 7:30pm on the third Wednesday each month in Castleside Village Hall. New members & visitors always welcome. We have informal meetings most Thursday mornings from 10.30am. This is when we work with the extensive archive material. Contact details below should you wish to attend. (01207) 509456 or 502038 [email protected] HEALEYFIELD PARISH COUNCIL The parish council can be contacted via the Clerk: Mrs R.E.Wright 1 Northbridge Park, St Helen Auckland, County Durham DL14 9UG Tel: 01388 834000 Email: [email protected]
Parish Councillors can be contacted as follows: Name Address Telephone D.Dixon Middle Heads Farm, Rowley 509253 J.Forster 19 Park Terrace 07743010457 A.Hird 20 Hillgarth 07762357391 J.Robson (Vice Chair) 39 Castlehills 582955
A.Pearson (Chairman) Conway House, 35 Consett Road 07808734057 K.Spencer 9 Front Street 07719088404 A. Wallace 6 Castlehills County Councillors are: Ossie Johnson 03000 268732 Jude Considine 03000 268794
Healeyfield Parish Council meets on the last Thursday of each month in Castleside Village Hall at 7pm after the Parish Surgery (6.30pm-7pm). Everyone is welcome to attend.
The councils public participation policy, provides residents with the opportunity to speak on agenda items at Parish Council meetings. If there is a specific issue that you would like to discuss, you can contact the Parish Clerk who can then add the item to the agenda. This must be done at least ten days before the meeting.
The Parish Councils website is full of up to date information including: events, newsletters, financial information and minutes. It is also an Ideal way to contact our clerk. Check out our website at www.healyfieldparishcouncil.co.uk